Samhain Rituals
Halloween has always been my favorite holiday. Probably because autumn is by far my favorite season; when everything feels crisp and cool. Even as a child, I adored Halloween. Not just because of the candy or the costumes—although I’ve always loved the chance to dress up and play a part for an evening. What really drew me in, is the deeper meaning the season carries. Long before Halloween became what it is now, this time of year marked Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival when the veil between worlds was believed to grow thin.
Samhain traditionally fell on October 31st through November 1st and was often seen as the Celtic New Year as it was the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the darker half of the year. Communities would gather to prepare for winter, celebrate the abundance of the harvest, and honor the cycle of life and death. Food offerings were left for ancestors and spirits, fires were lit to ward off darkness, and rituals were carried out to mark the transition of the seasons. The veil between the physical world and the spirit world was believed to thin, making a liminal time where spirits could return to Earth.
That’s what I love about this time of year. It’s not just about a fun night of tricks and treats (though I’m not about to say no to a spooky movie piece of chocolate!) it’s a time to slow down, reflect, and connect. It’s a season that asks us to honor those who came before, let go of what we no longer need, and make space for what’s ahead as autumn deepens into winter.
In my own home, I prefer to keep things simple. I add in bits of seasonal decor and create cozy nooks . If you’re looking to create your own traditions this season, here are some ideas to get you started.
Samhain Ritual Ideas
01. Create an Ancestral Altar
Gather photos, heirlooms, or objects that remind you of loved ones and arrange them in a small, dedicated space. This can be a shelf, a table, or even a corner of a room. In my home office, I had a gallery wall filled with all the photos I’ve collected throughout my genealogical journey. Although the space is currently undergoing a bit of a facelift, I plan to add in picture shelves so that I can more easily swap out photos as their stories call to me.
02. Light a Candle for Your Ancestors
While you can certainly include a candle or two in your altar, you can also pause before you light any candle in your space. Each time you light it, take a moment and reflect on the presence of those who came before you.
03. Prepare a Seasonal Feast
What better way than to celebrate the harvest than a feast filled with apples, squash, root vegetables, or other seasonal ingredients. Dedicate a plate or a slice of bread to your ancestors. You can also invite family or friends over and ask them to share a story about a loved one who has passed.
04. Brew a Seasonal Drink
Enjoy your favorite autumnal drink whether that’s a PSL, a cup of spiced cider, chai, or herbal tea.
05. Practice Divination
Use tarot, oracle cards, runes, or simply sit in meditation to seek guidance for the months ahead.
06. Journal
Reflect on the past year: what you’ve accomplished, what you’re ready to release, and what you want to carry forward. Try prompts like “What am I letting go of?” or “What do I want to plan for the months ahead?” I like to pair divination tools like tarot to help guide my journaling process.
07. Clean Your Home
It’s called “fall cleaning” for a reason, folks! Sweep, tidy, or rearrange your space. You can even include protection rituals like sprinkling salt or cinnamon in your entryway, hanging dried herbs, or wafting herbal smoke like sage to clear the air and bring fresh energy in your home.
08. Decorate with Intention
This is the perfect time to swap out lighter linens & cottons with warm wools. Lean into using natural textures, cozy fabrics, or seasonal colors to reflect the changing energy of the year.
09. Carve Pumpkins
Carving pumpkins is a fun way to tap into your inner child, especially if you choose real ones over craft ones. Plus, the scent they release when the tealight candle warms the inside is pure nostalgia.
10. Light a Bonfire
If you have a safe space outdoors, write down what you want to release on slips of paper and burn them in a fire. If not, you can use a candle indoors for a similar symbolic act. Ancestor letters (a note expressing gratitude or unsaid words) can also be safely released to the flames.
11. Tell Stories
Share family stories, myths, or legends to keep memory alive. You can also create a memory jar: write down favorite stories or reflections about ancestors and revisit them each year.
12. Take a Candlelit Bath
Draw a warm bath in the dark, lit only by candles. Use the time to breathe, reflect, and embrace the slowing of the season. I love adding lavender scented epsom salts or bubble bath to make this ritual feel even more luxurious.
13. Create an Ancestor Playlist
Build a playlist of songs that remind you of loved ones or connect to your heritage. Or, make a playlist of your favorite seasonal tunes.
14. Go on a Nature Walk
A walk during golden hour with a camera can capture fleeting light and remind you to slow down and appreciate the quiet beauty of this time of year.
15. Plant Bulbs for Spring
Planting bulbs like tulips or daffodils can be the sweet reminder that, even in times of darkness, growth and hope will carry on and give you something to look forward to on the other side of winter.
If you’d like to bring a touch of the season into your home, I’ve gathered a collection of Halloween-inspired pieces in The Shoppe. They’re moody, natural, and timeless decor that feels more soulful than spooky, and are a lovely way to create your own atmosphere for the season. You can explore the collection in full here.
here’s to finding magic in the liminal
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